Meta launches personal AI agent Muse that can shop, book travel, negotiate for users
Agent can continue working after app is closed, seeks approval before sensitive actions
Meta launched a new personal artificial intelligence agent on Tuesday called Muse, designed to carry out tasks on users' behalf rather than simply respond to questions.
The US technology company said Muse can make purchases, book travel, send emails, fill out forms and negotiate on behalf of users.
Once given a task or broader goal, Muse can develop a personalized plan and continue working independently, including after users close the app.
The agent can return when circumstances change or when it needs approval, with Meta saying it seeks permission before sensitive actions such as sending an email or making a purchase.
Muse can complete online purchases using Stripe's Link payment service, which can generate a single-use virtual card for an approved purchase while keeping users' underlying payment details hidden from the agent.
Muse can also remember information users previously shared and use it to make suggestions without being prompted.
The agent operates through what Meta calls a Secure VM, a dedicated virtual computer in the cloud with its own browser that allows it to interact with websites and connected services.
A separate AI agent called Sentinel governs Muse's access to the internet and connected services, determining whether an action can proceed, should be blocked or requires the user's approval.
Users can choose which services Muse can access and what it is allowed to do within them, while Meta said the agent cannot see users' passwords or payment methods, and provides an audit trail of its actions.
The company said conversations and data stored in Muse's virtual machine are not shared with its advertising systems, while users can opt out of having their interactions used to train Meta's AI models.
The launch comes as AI companies face questions about the security and privacy risks of giving autonomous agents access to users' personal accounts and data.
Muse is initially available to those aged 18 and older in the US through a dedicated app or WhatsApp, with support for Meta's AI glasses planned.
The service is free for most uses, while subscription plans for heavier use are priced at $20 and $100 per month.
